Let's say you had this build, how would you spend $50 to make it quieter?
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H97-PLUS ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme II 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT H230 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Platinum 550W 80+ Platinum Certified ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer (Purchased For $0.00)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) (Purchased For $0.00)
Monitor: Asus PB278Q 27.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Keyboard: Corsair K95 Wired Gaming Keyboard (Purchased For $0.00)
Mouse: Razer Taipan Wired Laser Mouse (Purchased For $0.00)
I'm thinking replacing the stock CPU cooler would be the most cost-effective addition but I'd like to hear from some more knowledgeable people.
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus H97-PLUS ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Extreme II 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT H230 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Platinum 550W 80+ Platinum Certified ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer (Purchased For $0.00)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) (Purchased For $0.00)
Monitor: Asus PB278Q 27.0" Monitor (Purchased For $0.00)
Keyboard: Corsair K95 Wired Gaming Keyboard (Purchased For $0.00)
Mouse: Razer Taipan Wired Laser Mouse (Purchased For $0.00)
I'm thinking replacing the stock CPU cooler would be the most cost-effective addition but I'd like to hear from some more knowledgeable people.